Covid-19 Takes Toll on Colorado Craft Industry
Mike Laur - March 16, 2020
Unless you’ve been incommunicado on Mars, you know that we are adapting to a whole new reality brought about by a new strain of an old foe: the COVID-19 virus. Social distancing and social drinking don’t mix, and that’s just one tangent to the story of how the world is changing.
If you need current news updates, Reuters, New York Times, Denver Post and Gazette can provide those.
But our story is about the symbiosis of customers and businesses, how that will change, and how we as a community can rally to keep COVID-19 from killing Colorado craft.
A quick recap: We’ve all been admonished to stay-the-hell-at-home, limit contact with others, and have learned how to social distance with one another. The virus is passed from person to person, and by avoiding people it’s hoped that we avoid infection and prevent further spread of the virus. Medical scientists around the world are working on potential treatments and immunizations, but they are months away from viable products at the soonest.
In the meantime, it’s virtual shutdown if not real shutdown. Radical changes to routines happen daily, and plans for the future are subject to change in a moment. (Like thousands of other trade shows across the country, The BA’s Craft Brewers conference scheduled for April in San Antonio was cancelled. )
Bars and restaurants across Colorado (including brewers, brewpubs, wineries, distilleries, mead makers and cideries), if they had not closed before, are prohibited from serving customers inside. No dine-in food or drink at the bar. Weeks, months - the service shutdown will continue for an indefinite time.
For business owners, this definitely sucks. Expansion plans, new furniture, signage, building maintenance - forget those. Replacement parts, salaries, rent, grain, hops, water, cleaning supplies, utilities, advertising - pick two. Statisticians expect sales to drop by 80%. Many locations, starved for customers and cash, will not survive a weeks-long or months-long shutdown. Big or small, new or established, craft beverage purveyors are facing a steep uphill road ahead.
Yet it’s not a bombed-out nuclear wasteland. Many bars, restaurants, brewpubs, wineries and distilleries are still open and eager for your business. While you currently cannot “dine-in”, you can order food to-go, and go-to your nearby favorite to purchase out-the-door crowlers, growlers, bottles and cases at convenient curbside sales operations. And those who have DOR Delivery Permits offer not just products to-go, but beverages that go-to-you by delivery, too. Call ahead to confirm availability and hours.
Getting people out and about is problematic. “Shelter in place” is the order in San Francisco and a growing number of other locales, and we’ve been told to limit travel to essential activities only. Shit - this is tough for everybody, but it’s not impossible. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don’t hoard stuff. Watch out for family, friends, co-workers. If you get sick from this novel coronavirus, it only becomes a death sentence if you go out and infect someone who’s susceptible to COVID and dies. Don’t be selfish and stupid.
Don’t panic, and as Charlie so wisely advised: “Relax, and have a homebrew.” The water supply is safe, so this might be the perfect time to brew a new batch or two of beer.
Use our handy interactive map and list information to find out who’s open, what they offer, and give ‘em a call to confirm their hours and availability. Everybody could use a little cheering up, and while a friendly phone call might not ring the cash register, it can brighten up a darkened taproom just a bit. Order something to-go.
Plan your drive-up visit to purchase food and drink during an essential trip to work, grocery store or bank. Stock up on crowlers, and invest in the future (your own and the business’s) by buying gift cards to use when COVID-19 is less of a threat.
In H.G. Wells “The War of the Worlds”, Martian invaders hell-sent to destroy humanity were ultimately brought down and defeated by tiny Earth creatures that we cannot even see. We’ve lived, adapted and developed with these viruses, bacteria, spores and molds since - well, pretty much forever. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? The Martians had no immunities, no bio-mechanism to fend off a new virus strain. We do, and that’s what will help us survive into the future. A good drink will help, too, as will compassion, common sense and community-mindedness.
Perhaps more than ever, it’s important for us to Support Our Local Craft Beverage Maker however we can. Survival for many of them may depend upon us.
